Won't sleep in the early evening

[Smircat]

Any idea's as to why me 4.5mth old will settle himself to sleep perfectly well in the morning and afternoon and then at his bedtime sleep, but just lays and cries and cries in the early evening, even though he is desperate to sleep? It's like he just won't give in to the sleep.
He's fed and burped, but does seem to have a lot of wind at this time - is it colic I ask myself?
He doesn't want to be cuddled either (he's never been a cuddle to sleep baby).
After about 30mins I give up and bring him downstairs again, but it them makes it impossible for a proper bedtime feed because he's so exhausted.

It might be that he's too tired when he goes down for the last nap - my DS is 5 months and still has 4 naps a day! He struggled with napping but the morning one got sorted first, because he wasn't too tired to get off to sleep. I'd try putting him down earlier and see what happens....

Good luck

I'd second Mistress Ploppy, my DS was also a four a day napper at that age - whatever the books say - and it does sound like he's wired because he's getting overtired by the day's end. He's too old for colic, but there is also a lot happening developmentally then too, which means they can be super restless.

Definitely go for more naps.